September 22, 2013

Schools have to play an active, aggressive role in the digital lives of teenagers to help bring the digital underworld to the surface. If kids and parents know that the school is fully present in the form of well-developed social and emotional learning programs, informative parent education sessions and safe spaces for kids to approach trusted adults when problems arise, then our digital kids have a fighting chance to navigate the uncertain, at times treacherous and often relentless waters of digital media.

The stakes are so high for our kids. Schools cannot be passive and reactive; instead, schools need to be proactive and inclusive for kids and parents when it comes to the digital lives of teenagers.

MATT LEVINSONMill Valley, Calif., Sept. 14, 2013

The writer is the head of the upper division at Marin Country Day School and is the author of “From Fear to Facebook: One School’s Journey.”